Gavan Reilly
@gavreilly.com
Politics guy @virginmedianews.bsky.social; one third of The Group Chat podcast; columns here and there; author of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞: linktr.ee/gavreilly
Michael D Higgins, with his wife Sabina, has left Áras an Úachtaráin for the final time as president.
He was given a guard of honour by members of the Sanctuary Runners, a charity of which he is patron.
The President’s term of office ends at midnight.
@VirginMediaNews.bsky.social
He was given a guard of honour by members of the Sanctuary Runners, a charity of which he is patron.
The President’s term of office ends at midnight.
@VirginMediaNews.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Michael D Higgins, with his wife Sabina, has left Áras an Úachtaráin for the final time as president.
He was given a guard of honour by members of the Sanctuary Runners, a charity of which he is patron.
The President’s term of office ends at midnight.
@VirginMediaNews.bsky.social
He was given a guard of honour by members of the Sanctuary Runners, a charity of which he is patron.
The President’s term of office ends at midnight.
@VirginMediaNews.bsky.social
Warm applause in the Dáil chamber - from all sides - as the House is formally notified that, for the first time since 1973, a sitting member of the Dáil has been elected President of Ireland. Catherine Connolly’s seat in Galway West has now been formally vacated. @virginmedianews.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Warm applause in the Dáil chamber - from all sides - as the House is formally notified that, for the first time since 1973, a sitting member of the Dáil has been elected President of Ireland. Catherine Connolly’s seat in Galway West has now been formally vacated. @virginmedianews.bsky.social
As if the front page of the Sunday Independent wasn’t bad enough reading for the Taoiseach…
November 2, 2025 at 8:49 AM
As if the front page of the Sunday Independent wasn’t bad enough reading for the Taoiseach…
Apropos of recent comments by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste:
In September (the most recent data available), 44% of asylum decisions resulted in the applicant being considered eligible for international protection.
It is presently taking the State around 17 months to process a standard application.
In September (the most recent data available), 44% of asylum decisions resulted in the applicant being considered eligible for international protection.
It is presently taking the State around 17 months to process a standard application.
November 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Apropos of recent comments by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste:
In September (the most recent data available), 44% of asylum decisions resulted in the applicant being considered eligible for international protection.
It is presently taking the State around 17 months to process a standard application.
In September (the most recent data available), 44% of asylum decisions resulted in the applicant being considered eligible for international protection.
It is presently taking the State around 17 months to process a standard application.
And if you were waiting for an audiobook version, I have some contemporary started-that-today news for you too
October 28, 2025 at 7:44 PM
And if you were waiting for an audiobook version, I have some contemporary started-that-today news for you too
Too late, NYT. That top line ain’t fooling anyone.
October 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Too late, NYT. That top line ain’t fooling anyone.
Final result of #aras25:
Electorate: 3,614,450
Votes cast: 1,656,436 (45.8%)
Spoilt: 213,738 (12.9%)
Valid poll: 1,442,698
Connolly: 914,143 (63.3%)
Humphreys: 424,987 (29.5%)
Gavin: 103,568 (7.2%)
Catherine Connolly is elected the tenth President of Ireland.
Electorate: 3,614,450
Votes cast: 1,656,436 (45.8%)
Spoilt: 213,738 (12.9%)
Valid poll: 1,442,698
Connolly: 914,143 (63.3%)
Humphreys: 424,987 (29.5%)
Gavin: 103,568 (7.2%)
Catherine Connolly is elected the tenth President of Ireland.
October 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Final result of #aras25:
Electorate: 3,614,450
Votes cast: 1,656,436 (45.8%)
Spoilt: 213,738 (12.9%)
Valid poll: 1,442,698
Connolly: 914,143 (63.3%)
Humphreys: 424,987 (29.5%)
Gavin: 103,568 (7.2%)
Catherine Connolly is elected the tenth President of Ireland.
Electorate: 3,614,450
Votes cast: 1,656,436 (45.8%)
Spoilt: 213,738 (12.9%)
Valid poll: 1,442,698
Connolly: 914,143 (63.3%)
Humphreys: 424,987 (29.5%)
Gavin: 103,568 (7.2%)
Catherine Connolly is elected the tenth President of Ireland.
Statement from the Taoiseach: Catherine Connolly has "secured a clear mandate to represent the people of Ireland as Uachtarán na hÉireann over the next seven years… I have no doubt Catherine Connolly will serve the country well." @virginmedianews.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Statement from the Taoiseach: Catherine Connolly has "secured a clear mandate to represent the people of Ireland as Uachtarán na hÉireann over the next seven years… I have no doubt Catherine Connolly will serve the country well." @virginmedianews.bsky.social
There are no leftover Smarties.
October 25, 2025 at 7:23 AM
There are no leftover Smarties.
Anyway, voted early* and often**
* an hour earlier than the usual late time I would vote
** untrue
* an hour earlier than the usual late time I would vote
** untrue
October 24, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Anyway, voted early* and often**
* an hour earlier than the usual late time I would vote
** untrue
* an hour earlier than the usual late time I would vote
** untrue
If you want to get a headstart!
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
It’ll offer you a vote in every category (but if you prefer, you can skip a section by just pressing ‘ok’). Mine is category 11, Non-Fiction Book of the Year.
All support welcome! 🙏🏻
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
It’ll offer you a vote in every category (but if you prefer, you can skip a section by just pressing ‘ok’). Mine is category 11, Non-Fiction Book of the Year.
All support welcome! 🙏🏻
October 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM
If you want to get a headstart!
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
It’ll offer you a vote in every category (but if you prefer, you can skip a section by just pressing ‘ok’). Mine is category 11, Non-Fiction Book of the Year.
All support welcome! 🙏🏻
www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/
It’ll offer you a vote in every category (but if you prefer, you can skip a section by just pressing ‘ok’). Mine is category 11, Non-Fiction Book of the Year.
All support welcome! 🙏🏻
The only award I’ve ever won was a Smedia, 16 years ago, so making the shortlist for the Irish Book Awards’ non-fiction book of the year is a very lovely thing!
Consider yourselves all forewarned about me pestering for votes, which we’ll get to after the other thing with people pestering for votes
Consider yourselves all forewarned about me pestering for votes, which we’ll get to after the other thing with people pestering for votes
October 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The only award I’ve ever won was a Smedia, 16 years ago, so making the shortlist for the Irish Book Awards’ non-fiction book of the year is a very lovely thing!
Consider yourselves all forewarned about me pestering for votes, which we’ll get to after the other thing with people pestering for votes
Consider yourselves all forewarned about me pestering for votes, which we’ll get to after the other thing with people pestering for votes
Are you a little confused about how Ireland’s Presidential Election works?
Fear not: I have once again picked up some 🔴 popular 🟠 coloured 🟡 chocolate-based 🟢 confectionary 🔵 treats 🟣 to show how the #aras25 votes are counted.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
Fear not: I have once again picked up some 🔴 popular 🟠 coloured 🟡 chocolate-based 🟢 confectionary 🔵 treats 🟣 to show how the #aras25 votes are counted.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Are you a little confused about how Ireland’s Presidential Election works?
Fear not: I have once again picked up some 🔴 popular 🟠 coloured 🟡 chocolate-based 🟢 confectionary 🔵 treats 🟣 to show how the #aras25 votes are counted.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
Fear not: I have once again picked up some 🔴 popular 🟠 coloured 🟡 chocolate-based 🟢 confectionary 🔵 treats 🟣 to show how the #aras25 votes are counted.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
His voters are hiding in the long grass
October 16, 2025 at 7:05 AM
His voters are hiding in the long grass
Aontú announcing a motion of no confidence in Simon Harris - to be debated and voted on next Wednesday (two days before #aras25 polling day) - over his handling of the children’s spinal surgery issue and the promise of no child waiting more than four months.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Aontú announcing a motion of no confidence in Simon Harris - to be debated and voted on next Wednesday (two days before #aras25 polling day) - over his handling of the children’s spinal surgery issue and the promise of no child waiting more than four months.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
🚨 Jim Gavin has withdrawn from the Presidential Election. #aras25 @virginmedianews.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
🚨 Jim Gavin has withdrawn from the Presidential Election. #aras25 @virginmedianews.bsky.social
Your #TonightVMTV #aras25 debate hot takes, please…
September 29, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Your #TonightVMTV #aras25 debate hot takes, please…
From the President who brought you ‘we’ll do it with two years’ notice to give people time to move manufacturing’, and ‘we’ll sign a treaty with the EU stipulating that its 15% tariff includes pharmaceuticals’, comes ‘actually yeah we’ll double your price unless you turn the sod over here in a week’
September 26, 2025 at 7:04 AM
From the President who brought you ‘we’ll do it with two years’ notice to give people time to move manufacturing’, and ‘we’ll sign a treaty with the EU stipulating that its 15% tariff includes pharmaceuticals’, comes ‘actually yeah we’ll double your price unless you turn the sod over here in a week’
Steen claims the political consensus has never been so out of kilter with the grassroots desire for an alternative voice
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Steen claims the political consensus has never been so out of kilter with the grassroots desire for an alternative voice
Danny also now confined as a signatory (and an outright endorsement - differing from his brother Michael who is still backing Heather Humphreys).
Steen personally says her effective deadline for signatures is tonight - although paperwork can be lodged up to 12 noon, the logistics are prohibitive
Steen personally says her effective deadline for signatures is tonight - although paperwork can be lodged up to 12 noon, the logistics are prohibitive
September 23, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Danny also now confined as a signatory (and an outright endorsement - differing from his brother Michael who is still backing Heather Humphreys).
Steen personally says her effective deadline for signatures is tonight - although paperwork can be lodged up to 12 noon, the logistics are prohibitive
Steen personally says her effective deadline for signatures is tonight - although paperwork can be lodged up to 12 noon, the logistics are prohibitive
Independent Ireland confirm their four TDs WILL sign nomination forms for Maria Steen.
That means 16 confirmed signatures; Steen is meeting with Danny Healy-Rae right now in pursuit of a 17th. 20 needed by noon tomorrow.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social at 12:30.
That means 16 confirmed signatures; Steen is meeting with Danny Healy-Rae right now in pursuit of a 17th. 20 needed by noon tomorrow.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social at 12:30.
September 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Independent Ireland confirm their four TDs WILL sign nomination forms for Maria Steen.
That means 16 confirmed signatures; Steen is meeting with Danny Healy-Rae right now in pursuit of a 17th. 20 needed by noon tomorrow.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social at 12:30.
That means 16 confirmed signatures; Steen is meeting with Danny Healy-Rae right now in pursuit of a 17th. 20 needed by noon tomorrow.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social at 12:30.
